A pneumatic amplifier is provided comprising a supply air valve with a supply input connected to a pneumatic supply, a signal input for receiving a pneumatic input signal, a signal output for transmitting an amplified pneumatic output signal, a valve member for continuously opening or cutting off a pneumatic connection between the pneumatic supply and the signal output, and a diaphragm coupled with the valve member exposed at one side to the pneumatic input signal and having an opposite side. An exhaust air valve is provided with a bleed output, and a valve member for opening or cutting off a pneumatic connection between the signal output of the supply air valve and the bleed output. The valve members of the supply air valve and the exhaust air valve are structurally separated. The opposite side of the supply air valve diaphragm is exposed to the amplified pneumatic output signal.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A pneumatic amplifier, comprising: a supply air valve with a supply input connected to a pneumatic supply, a signal input for receiving a pneumatic input signal, a signal output for transmitting an amplified pneumatic output signal, a valve member for continuously opening or cutting off a pneumatic connection between the supply input and the signal output, and a diaphragm coupled with the valve member and which has one side exposed to the pneumatic input signal and an opposite side facing away from the signal input being exposed to the amplified pneumatic output signal; an exhaust air valve having a control input, a bleed output for bleeding or exhausting the exhaust air valve, a valve member for continuously opening or cutting off a pneumatic connection between said control input and the bleed output, a signal input separate from the bleed output for receiving the same pneumatic input signal which is also applied at the signal input of the supply air valve, the control input being connected to the supply air valve signal output to receive the amplified pneumatic output signal, and the signal input being pneumatically separated at all times by a diaphragm from the control input and the bleed output; the bleed output of the exhaust air valve being exposed to atmosphere or to approximately zero bar; and the respective valve members of the supply air valve and the exhaust air valve being structurally separated from one another.
A pneumatic amplifier boosts pneumatic signals. It contains a supply air valve connected to a pneumatic pressure source. This valve receives a pneumatic input signal and outputs an amplified pneumatic signal. A valve member inside the supply air valve opens or closes the connection between the pressure source and the amplified output. A diaphragm, linked to this valve member, has one side exposed to the input signal and the opposite side exposed to the amplified output signal, creating a feedback loop. An exhaust air valve is also included. This valve has its own signal input for receiving the same initial pneumatic input signal as the supply air valve, separate from the bleed output. This exhaust valve has a bleed output exposed to atmosphere or approximately zero bar, and a valve member for opening or closing a connection between a control input (receiving the amplified output signal from the supply air valve) and the bleed output. The signal input of the exhaust air valve is separated from the control input and bleed output via a diaphragm. The supply air valve and exhaust air valve valve members are physically separate.
2. The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the signal output of the supply air valve is pneumatically connected with the opposite side of the diaphragm facing away from the signal input.
The pneumatic amplifier described previously, which boosts pneumatic signals using a supply air valve, an exhaust air valve, and a feedback diaphragm arrangement, ensures that the amplified pneumatic output signal from the supply air valve is pneumatically connected to the side of the diaphragm that faces away from the original pneumatic input signal on the supply air valve. This creates a direct feedback mechanism where the amplified pressure influences the valve position and thus the output signal itself.
3. The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the supply air valve and the exhaust air valve are implemented into one structural unit, wherein the respective valve members are supported independent from one another.
The pneumatic amplifier described previously, which boosts pneumatic signals using a supply air valve, an exhaust air valve, and a feedback diaphragm arrangement, is constructed so that the supply air valve and the exhaust air valve are integrated into a single physical unit. Despite this integration, the valve members within each valve (supply and exhaust) are supported and operate independently of each other. This allows for compact construction without compromising the individual control of each valve.
4. The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein an integral housing is provided for the supply air valve and the exhaust air valve, and which contains a feedback line between the signal output of the supply air valve and the control input of the exhaust air valve.
The pneumatic amplifier described previously, which boosts pneumatic signals using a supply air valve, an exhaust air valve, and a feedback diaphragm arrangement, features a single, unified housing that contains both the supply air valve and the exhaust air valve. This housing also includes an internal pathway, or feedback line, that directly connects the amplified pneumatic output signal from the supply air valve to the control input of the exhaust air valve. This simplifies the design and ensures consistent feedback pressure.
5. The amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the amplified pneumatic output signal is transmitted to a pneumatic drive for regulating a control valve.
The pneumatic amplifier described previously, which boosts pneumatic signals using a supply air valve, an exhaust air valve, and a feedback diaphragm arrangement, is used to control a pneumatic actuator which regulates a control valve. The amplified pneumatic output signal produced by the amplifier is transmitted to this pneumatic drive, allowing it to precisely adjust the control valve's position based on the original input signal, but with increased force or pressure.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 22, 2008
September 10, 2013
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.